Perturbation to the magnetic field strength

The variation in the magnetic field strength on a magnetic surface as a function of the magnetic angles is one of the most important properties of an equilibrium because it determines the trajectories of the charged particles. Even a small change in the field strength can produce a qualitative change in the trajectories. The perturbed magnetic field strength as a function of magnetic coordinates is derived for a given displacement xi of the magnetic field lines. Ideal magnetohydrodynamics stability theory can be used to determine the field line displacement xi of a perturbed plasma equilibria and, therefore, the perturbed field strength. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.